Nebraska's Truck Crash Lawyer

Types Of Benefits

At Brock Law Offices in Lincoln, our workers’ comp lawyers want you to know about the benefits you should be getting as an injured worker. In Nebraska, workers’ compensation benefits fall into three categories: medical, indemnity and vocational benefits.

Medical Benefits

The primary role of workers’ compensation is to ensure medical treatment for people who have suffered workplace injuries. Employers and their insurance companies are liable for all medical expenses that are reasonable and necessary to treat the effects of your on-the-job injury. This includes doctor visits, physical therapy sessions and surgeries. It also includes prescription drugs and any prosthetics or medical devices required because of the injury. Furthermore, in most circumstances, travel expenses to and from medical treatment is covered.

Indemnity Benefits

Indemnity benefits is the technical term for what are more commonly known as wage loss benefits. This is one of the most complicated aspects of workers’ compensation claims. There are two categories for disability benefits: total disability benefits and partial disability benefits.

Total disability benefits are further broken down into temporary total disability benefits and permanent total disability benefits. Each of these entitle the injured worker to two-thirds of his or her average weekly wage, subject to a minimum and maximum. Benefits continue for as long as a doctor states that the person is unable to return to work.

Partial disability benefits are further broken down into temporary partial, permanent partial loss of a member and permanent partial to the body as a whole. Temporary partial benefits are offered when an injured worker is not totally disabled and is able to work at a reduced capacity. Benefits serve to compensate for a portion of the wages lost due to the inability to work at full capacity. Permanent partial loss of a member provides an amount of benefits set by statute for the loss or loss of use of a body part, such as a finger, hand, arm, toe, foot or leg. Permanent partial to the body as a whole benefits are paid in the event of a permanent disability that does not completely prevent the employee from returning to work, but results in a loss of earning power.

In addition to these disability benefits, death benefits are available to help family members recover wages lost when a loved one dies in the workplace.

Vocational Benefits

If injured employees are not able to return to their previous line of work and cannot find suitable employment with their current training and background, vocational benefits may be available. These benefits may allow the injured worker to see a vocational rehabilitation counselor who will help create a plan to receive vocational training.

Find Out What Benefits You Should Get In A Free Consultation

Contact our workers’ comp attorneys today at 402-467-3303 or by email to schedule a free workers’ comp consultation. We handle all workers’ compensation cases on a contingency basis. You only pay if we obtain a recovery for you. There is no money required up front.